Emile Heskey explains Reigan Heskey's adaptation at Koln
Former England striker Emile Heskey discusses his son Reigan's move from Manchester City to Koln and outlines what defines success for the 18-year-old forward.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Author: Jon Candy from Cardiff, Wales
18-year-old forward Reigan Heskey is continuing his development in Germany following a high-profile move from the Manchester City academy to Koln. The transfer deal, potentially worth up to £7 million, represents a calculated step for the youngster to secure the regular first-team football that proved difficult to find in England.
His father, former Leicester and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, notes that Reigan is settling in well, despite the challenges of a new language and a different footballing environment.
He's loving it at the minute. He's finding it difficult because he's obviously in and out the team. And it's obviously a different language, he's got to learn etc. Different country. But he's enjoying that side of it as well. Emile Heskey
Emile emphasized that the priority for Reigan is to start staking a claim for consistent minutes. He believes that a successful debut campaign in the Bundesliga would involve securing between 15 to 20 appearances and accumulating 10 to 15 goal contributions. Reaching these targets would be a positive indicator of his growth and long-term potential.
The move to Germany aligns with Emile's critique of the English pathway for youth talent. He has frequently argued that young players often find their progression blocked by established international performers in the Premier League. By moving to a league with a proven track record of developing youth, Reigan is aiming to avoid the stagnation often associated with lingering too long in domestic youth systems.